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I'm not sure precisely when the tradition started, but I consistently call all my Pokemon characters Glitch.

Be it a core franchise title or a side project such as Pokkén Tournament DX along with Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Glitch switches between male and female characters, featuring dark and violet locks. Sometimes their fashion is impeccable, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment in this long-running franchise (and among the more fashion-focused releases). Other times they're confined to the assorted school uniform designs from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But they remain Glitch.

The Constantly Changing Realm of Pokemon Games

Much like my trainers, the Pokemon titles have evolved between releases, with certain superficial, some substantial. But at their core, they remain the same; they're always Pokemon through and through. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect mechanics system some 30 years ago, and just recently truly attempted to innovate on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (different timeline, your avatar is now in danger). Across every version, the fundamental gameplay loop of catching and battling with adorable monsters has remained consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Shaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, with its lack of arenas and emphasis on creating a Pokédex, Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces several changes into that formula. It takes place completely in a single location, the Paris-inspired Lumiose Metropolis of Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the expansive journeys of earlier titles. Pokemon are intended to live together with people, battlers and non-trainers alike, in manners we've only seen glimpses of before.

Even more radical is Z-A's live-action combat mechanics. It's here the series' almost ideal core cycle undergoes its biggest evolution yet, swapping deliberate sequential bouts with more frenetic action. And it is immensely fun, despite I find myself ready for a new turn-based entry. Although these alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new experience, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels as recognizable as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Journey: The Z-A Championship

When first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, any intentions your custom avatar planned as a visitor are discarded; you're immediately recruited by Taunie (for male avatars; the male guide if female) to become part of her team of battlers. You receive a creature from them as your starter and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Royale serves as the centerpiece of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the traditional "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. But here, you fight a handful of trainers to gain the opportunity to participate in an advancement bout. Win and you will be elevated to the next rank, with the ultimate goal of achieving rank A.

Live-Action Combat: A New Approach

Trainer battles occur during nighttime, while navigating stealthily the designated combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly trying to get a jump on an opponent and launch a free attack, since everything happens instantaneously. Moves function with cooldown timers, meaning you and your opponent may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to adjust to at first. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is much to master in terms of employing my creatures' attacks in methods that complement each other. Placement also plays a significant part in battles since your creatures will trail behind you or move to designated spots to perform attacks (certain ones are distant, while others need to be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, despite this results in a suboptimal strategy. There's no time to breathe in Z-A, and numerous opportunities to become swamped. Creature fights depend on response after using an attack, and that data is still present on screen within Z-A, but flashes past rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because taking your eyes off your adversary will spell immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Outside of battle, you will traverse Lumiose City. It's fairly compact, although tightly filled. Deep into the game, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It is also rich with character, and perfectly captures the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Common bird Pokemon inhabit its pathways, taking flight when you get near similar to actual pigeons getting in my way while strolling in New York City. The Pan Trio monkeys joyfully cling on streetlights, and bug-Pokémon such as Kakuna attach themselves on branches.

An emphasis on city living is a new direction for the franchise, and a positive change. Nonetheless, navigating the city grows repetitive eventually. You may stumble upon an alley you never visited, but it feels identical. The architecture is devoid of personality, and most rooftops and underground routes offer little variety. Although I never visited Paris, the model behind the city, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where no two blocks differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that provide character. Lumiose Metropolis lacks that quality. It features beige structures topped with colored roofs and flatly rendered terraces.

Where Lumiose City Truly Shines

In which Lumiose City really shines, surprisingly, is indoors. I adored the way creature fights within Sword & Shield occur in football-like stadiums, giving them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen in a field with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between the two. You'll battle in restaurants with diners observing while they eat. An elite combat club will extend an invitation to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena under a lighting fixture (not Chandelure) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of a certain faction with atmospheric illumination and magenta walls. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality missing in the larger city in general.

The Familiarity of Repetition

Throughout the Championship, as well as subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and filling the Pokédex, there is an unavoidable sense that, {"I